Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-07-21

Lesson Nv OF the International Series
Third Quarter), for Sunday, July "a.
Text of tho Lesson, Matt. cxi, 1917.
Golden Text, Matt. cxi, IL.
We here pass from the ministry of John to
that of JesuA The transition hour is the bap-
tism of the Lord by John; that was the most
important act in the harbinger's mission.
The king was thus inaugurated, and the
work of the forerunner was nearing its end.
The scene is profoundly instructive. Thesin-
less One submits to the symbolieal act as il
he were q simmer.
THE LESSON.
" 13 Then Cometh.-We cannot be quite
certain how long John the Baptist had been
preaching up to this period Perhaps, taking
into account the comparative age of the Bap-
tist, we may suppose that the baptism OF
Christ TOOK place six months after John be-
gan his ministry. Tradition, which has So
lected the spot, has also named the winter as
the time of the baptism Jesus came from
Nazareth of Galilee Mark i, 9 names the
town. We have already seen that this town
was about seventy miles north of Jerusalem,
and perhaps about the same distance from
the place of baptism. That spot would seem
to be the same as where, in verses five and
six, multitudes came to John for baptism
Probably this was the place already signalized
in the history of redemption Here the
Israelites under Joshua crossed the river;
here the waters showed the power of God
when they were miraculously opened by
Elijah and Elisha. No wonder that multitudes
still come, as many travellers inform US, and
plunge into the waters at this sacred spot
V. IA. Johns Hesitancy.-John knew some
thing of Christ's miraculous birth, blameless
life and divine character. No wonder that
he shrank from performing this service.
More fitting it seemed that Jesus should bap-
tie him. He felt unworthy to unloose his
Lords sandals, far less to baptize him. This
hesitancy is in perfect harmony with other
examples of Johns marked humility. The
imperfect tense here employed shows that it
was not momentary act when he forbade
him. The word means that he tried to him
der him. As Afford suggests, the word i'm
plies active and earnest preventing with ges-
lures of hand and tones of the voice When
Jesus spoke the words which removed Johns
doubt he Immediately obeyed. We have
three accounts Of the baptism, but Matthew
alone tells us of Johns hesitancy to perform
the significant act. John already regarded
him as the Messiah, but he wanted and he
now received perfect assurance regarding his
divine amounting. Why should Christ, the
sinless one, submit to the baptism of repent
ancel The answer is not far to seek He
was made sin for US. Being in the likeness Of
sinful flesh, it was fitting that he should sub
NIT to the rite intended for sinners In this
spirit he performed many other acts, such as
keeping the Passover, an observance belong
ing especially to sinners. His baptism thus
identified the Lord with those whom he came
to redeem.
V. Is. Our Lords significant answer re-
moved Johns hesitancy. The reply also.
SHOWS Ci.. isTs ueslgn IN suomlELlng 70 the
ordinance. Had Christ left this act unper-
formed, something would have been wanting
in that perfect Righteousness which he came
to manifest. He came in our nature not only
to die the death Of atonement, but to live q
life Of perfect obedience. Baptism is an act
Of obedience. Standing in our place it was
fitting that Jesus should submit to this ordi-
nance. What Christ sanctioned now by his
own example he afterward commanded,
making it binding upon all his true disciples.
The baptism also was an Inauguration of
Christ's public and official life. The NOW"
suggests that the relation of subsection was
real, but was only temporary and would soon
give place to truer relationship. Christ
recognizes some ground for Johns doubt, but
John was to acquiesce for good, though tenn
porary reasons. The act is that of Jesus as
well as that of John.
v. 16. Went Up Straightway Out of the
Water.-After the act was performed the
heavens were opened, the clouds were parted,
and the spirit as a dove descended
As Dove.-This may be understood Of the
shape which was assumed, or Of the manner
of descent, so far as these words are con-
cerned; but adding what Luke has said luke
lii, ~, it is more probable that the reference
is rather to the form which the spirit chose to
assume. To limit this expression to the man.
ner of the descent is to do violence to the nat
ural meaning of the expression. Nothing
could be more appropriate to the character,
life and work of Jesus than this dove like
form. John tells us John i, 32) that @it
abode on him." 1t was permanent posses
sion; thus he received the spirit without
measure; thus he was formally anointed for
his great work; thus he officially entered
upon it. Then John and others knew, by
testimony from heaven, that he was the Mes
siah
v. IL. A Voice from Heaven.-The voice
of the eternal God was now heard This
voice would confirm John most fully and
better prepare him for his further relations
to Jesus. 1t is possible that the voice was
heard only by him and by Christ himself.
The term Son was applied to the Messiah in
Psalms ii, z IL. On two other occasions the
voice of the Father was heard-at the trans
fguration and shortly before the crucifxion.
A comparison Of the records of these three
events by all the evangelists will show that
on every occasion Christ was engaged in
prayer. The three occasions abound in sug-
gestive lessons
My Son, Ny Beloved.-This is a sort OF
proper name; it is distinctive title. The
remaining words are from the Messianic pro-
phecy as found in Isaiah xiii, 1. This was
wonderful moment for the Son of man. Now
as never before up to this hour his great mis-
sion was opening to his gaze. All the per-
sons of the blessed Trinity were audibly or
visibly present: the Father by an audible
voice, the Son in human form, and the Spirit
as dove. The ordinance thus honored by
the triune God should be honored by all true
believers.
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED.
/. 1t becomes us to follow Christs example
and to obey all Christ's commands. We may
not understand the full significance Of some
Of them any more than did John, but it is
always right to fulfill all Righteousness.
q Christ's obedience in life as well as his
atoning sacrifice was necessary to the COM
plstion Of his work, and brought great re-
ward Every act Of obedience on our part
also may be followed by still, small voice
saying to each true Christian, Thou art my
son; thou art my daughter, in whom l am
well pleased
8. All the persons Of the Trinity are deeply
interested in, and have their part to perform
in, the salvation of sinners In the converse
ton Of Christ with Nicodemus, the part
which each person in the blessed Trinity per-
form. 10 folly illustrated.-Sunday School
World.